The Axeman's Doom

EIGHTEEN

When I was a little girl, I was not who I was now. My family always called me Little Wildfire for the reckless wild and fiery girl I was. I was never made to sit still. The wind called me and I inherited my father's temper perhaps too much. And I never enjoyed following regulations as a proper lady the past ten years.

And that carefree wild little girl only bloomed when she met Ross Alvarez.

I had been sitting in the waiting room, swinging my legs as I sang to myself when a little boy interrupted me, curious. I had always seen him before because his father always spoke with my father. But I didn't know how or what, but something sparked between us and we became fast friends. Friends who would turn New Orleans upside down with their crazy schemes. Their laughter became the music of New Orleans.

He was my best friend. I wanted to spend my entire life with him.

Ross always stayed by my side. Even after the police department, Ross snuck away from his father to meet up with me in secret. One of my memorable times when he had done so was the last time I saw him until now.

He had taken me to the Underworld after we ran away from my caretaker. I was enthralled by the bright colors and glittering jewels from the Underworld. And the music lured me away as I wanted to dance the night away.

Ross saw my glee and as we crouched our knees, he leaned into my ear and whispered. "One day this will all be mine. My kingdom."

I snickered. "Does that make you a king?"

"Yes, but that means I'm going to need a queen. Do you want to be my queen?"

I giggled, shoving him lightly in his arm. "Only if that means I can dance all night here!"

The memory dissolved back into reality where I sat down with Ross outside in one of the tables of Duke's Café. Just right after he declared he would confide in me and hope I won't hate him after this.

I don't see how I could hate him. I never truly despised Ross even when I first saw him again. At his social standing yes and I always grew annoyed with him, but never I could hate him. I don't see how this would change even if the look on Ross's face was alarming.

"Do you remember our last night together before we got separated?" Ross asked me.

"Believe or not, I was actually remembering that night just now." I managed to give him a small smile, hoping it would smooth the tension brewing between us.

Ross's mouth barely lifted. "Then you know how I believed I was going to rule the Underworld. I thought it would be amazing. Partying, drinking, gambling. All that sort of stuff I've always seen my father and his men do. And after our friendship ended,  I never realized how dangerous my role was, but I didn't care. I welcomed it. With Francis, Randy, and Peter by my side—we were our little group of misfits."

"Who's Francis?"

A sad smile. "My closest and dearest friend when you stopped talking to me. We met at boys and spent every day training together. His father was the right-hand of my father, so we grew up together. When I became the Lion at fifteen, I appointed Francis Devereux as my right-hand man. Together we created trouble in the streets after dark."

Fifteen. Ross took up the role of the Lion at fifteen. He shouldn't be taking lead in a gang that young when his father was still alive and healthy to lead the Lions. No boy should bear that heavy weight of leading an organized crime at the age.

Taking the role of the Lion at fifteen and taking care of his family while his father went out to drink and come home to hurt his family. It was sickening to my stomach. My little friend who I grew up with, chased around in the streets of the French Quarter, taking the burden at such a young age. I wasn't there for him.